Weaving together various thoughts and musings -- usually pertaining to aspects of Hong Kong (life) but sometimes beyond.

Saturday, July 9, 2011

Near (This week's Photo Hunt theme)

How far would you go for a good meal, a change of scenery and/or a nice leisure day out? For many Hong Kongers, the answer might be as far as some 60 kilometers (around 37 miles). More precisely, the Big Lychee's sister Special Administrative Region of Macau is a popular destination for day trips and weekend visits -- and I even know of at least one person who thought nothing of heading to the former Portuguese enclave for dinner after a full day's work in Hong Kong!

And yes, it's true: I too now number among the people who will go to Macau from Hong Kong just for the day -- targeting a morning ferry ride that gets me into Macau in time for a big lunch, followed some sightseeing and strolling about to walk off lunch and build up an appetite for tea (I simply can't resist those yummy Macanese egg tarts!) and then a light dinner (sad but true, I have never been able to have a big dinner after the big lunch and afternoon egg tarts!) before making the return ferry trip back to Hong Kong.

And to Photo Hunters contemplating visiting Hong Kong for pleasure, I do recommend a side trip to (relatively) nearby Macau. So budget at least a week to do this part of the world justice should you decide to holiday here! :)

Great take on the theme and it looks like a great place to visit. That seems fairly near to me. Where I live there are a lot of towns and cities which are part of one big area and people often go from one to the other to work eat or spend an afternoon as each have an individual identity.

I think Macau is worth more than one day -- so if you've never visited before, I'd recommend that you plan to stay one night (and two days) there. :)

Hi gengen --

Thanks. :)

Hi Carver --

To add to your comments: Macau is made up of the Macau Peninsula and the island of Coloane and Taipa (now joined together by the reclaimed Taipa strip). Quite a few people I know who visit Macau only stay in the Macau Peninsula but I like to go to Coloane too whenever I'm there.

You made my day with your remarks. Feel so chuffed by them -- thanks! :)

Hi jmb --

Sometimes I do wish that the Hong Kong Tourism Board would contact me and offer me a job. Re Macau: less so but actually, in a previous job, I had dealings with the Macau Government Tourism Office and have to say that everyone of its reps that I dealt with were absolutely lovely. :)

Hi Willow --

I've actually not seen the lightshow in Macau -- or, for that matter, a whole one in Hong Kong! ;O

Hi YTSL, great photos and a wonderful take on this week's theme. Macau sounds like a fabulous nearby day trip. And the egg tarts looks and sounds delicious. I think I would travel some distance for those.

About Me

Hong Kong film fan (and general Asian cinema buff). Culture vulture. Participant-observer. Independent travel and hiking enthusiast. Foodie and beer geek. Reader by inclination, writer and editor by trade. Rolling stone (Penang-born but currently living and working in Hong Kong). A Gooner since 1978.